Permanent base lined up for air ambulance

Aug 17 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

AIR Ambulance cover across Staffordshire is set to be increased with a permanent base launched there by the end of the year.

But the move comes on the back of a setback for the East Midlands where ambulance bosses are pulling out from a current base at Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

West Midlands Ambulance Service which helps control the County Air Ambulance with the charity revealed the move is because there was not enough cash raised in the East Midlands to fund the base.

They hope residents in south Staffordshire will be able to raise more cash and maintain a local base.

"The decision to move it was taken after a review of the provision of air ambulance services in the region," said ambulance service spokesman Murray MacGregor.

"Negotiations have been on-going with East Midlands Ambulance Service because insufficient funds are raised within the East Midlands area to cover the cost of basing the helicopter there.

"This is disappointing because many members of the public in the East Midlands have worked tirelessly to raise money for this life saving service."

Four Air Ambulances will still cover the West Midlands as a whole, but there are plans to introduce longer flying hours and the use of doctors on aircraft.

Extra training for paramedics who will accompany the doctors is also being offered to become critical care practitioners.